8/11/14 – Shower and thunderstorm coverage will decrease overnight tonight becoming more isolated to widely scattered. Tuesday a deep tropical moisture and southerly flow will combine to produce widespread rainfall on tuesday and wednesday. Areas of moderate to briefly heavy rain will be possible although the chance for severe thunderstorms containing large hail and high wind will be greatly diminished. There will be an elevated risk for flodding on Tuesday and wednesday due to the prolonged nature of this rainfall event along with widespread rain showers and saturated ground conditions. Drier conditions will begin to work back ito the area friday with a sharp downard trend in precipitation on Saturday and Sunday.

Join Smokey and his friends for a birthday celebration!

Saturday, August 9, 2014
11:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Bashas in Eagar, Arizona

Most of us are thinking about retirement at 70, if we haven’t already retired, but Smokey Bear is still going strong!

Smokey first appeared as the mascot of the U.S. Forest Service on Aug. 9, 1944, and will celebrate his 70th birthday locally this Saturday at the Eagar Gazebo next to Bashas at 150 N Main, Eagar, AZ.

“Only you can prevent forest fires!” was Smokey’s slogan for more than 50 years, until “forest fires” was changed to “wildfires” in 2001 to recognize that many resources are damaged by fire every year. The campaign remains one of the most widely recognized in the United States.

Smokey and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Supervisor’s Office and Springerville Ranger District employees will be on hand for photos and handing out Smokey memorabilia from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

To take the Smokey Bear pledge and join in the campaign, go to http://www.smokeybear.com/ for more information.

7/31/14 8:00 – The McGuire Fire is now at 21.5 acres with no containment however, there are no structures threatened by this fire. Smoke may be visible from Highway 260 in the Forest Lakes area in the Black Mesa Ranger District.